McCoy Mrubata
Langa born and raised master saxophonist, McCoy Mrubata, returns home to celebrate a milestone birthday and launch his latest album Lullaby for Khayoyo at Guga S'thebe in Langa on Sunday June 2, at 4pm.
Mccoy will be joined on stage by his American friend, guitarist Gary Wittner, who he recently performed with at the San Francisco Jazz Festival.
They will be joined by Sibusiso Matsimela on bass and Tefo Mahola on drums.
“Capetonians are going to love the new songs and they can expect great music comprised of groovy sounds, energetic African rhythms, and heart-warming ballads, especially the title track, Lullaby for Khayoyo,” he says.
“It means a lot to me to perform in Cape Town, my hometown and celebrate my 65th birthday. This is where my first desire to play music was planted. I had lots of musical influences and coming back to share my music with Capetonians is a blessing that is beyond growth in age but a musical enrichment,” says Mrubata.
As a child he absorbed by the soulful hymns of the Zion Church, the chants and rhythms of traditional healers and the South African swing of the Merry Macs, an early Cape Town jazz combo that rehearsed across from his home.
Leaving school after the bloody 1976 Soweto Uprising, he threw himself into music, studying with Langa legends such as pianist Madoda Gxabeka, tenor saxophonist Winston Ngozi, trumpeter Fezekile “Blackie” Tempi and penny whistle master, Robert Sithole.
Moving to Johannesburg in the late 1980s he started recording for Zomba Records, he came into his own as the leader of Brotherhood, a talent-packed band that won the Gilbey's Music for Africa prize in 1990. He gained international attention in 1992 when he toured the world with Hugh Masekela’s Lerapo and has collaborated with Brazilian greats Airto and Flora Purim. Several of his albums have won the South African Music Award for best traditional jazz release.
Tickets are R170 or R150 for pensioners through Quicket or at the door.
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